HUNGRY to taste AFL premiership glory, butcher John Harbour demonised hot dogs for festive fun with Melbourne to take on Western Bulldogs in Saturday's grand final.
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Mr Harbour said plenty of customers, of all football backgrounds, had been getting into the Demons' spirit and buying the red and blue saveloys to watch the game at home.
His butchery has made a tradition of doing a footy theme for customers in grand final week but this one is extra special for Mr Harbour, a life-long Melbourne supporter.
"I tell everyone they won the last premiership (in 1964) because of me," Mr Harbour said.
"Melbourne was losing, not by much, and little John went into his bedroom and prayed, 'please God, let us win the premiership'. Neil Crompton came down from the back pocket and kicked the goal that put us in front.
"I just don't know if He will listen to me again, but I can imagine my grandson trying the same thing."
Mr Harbour said it would be special for the Dees to get up and win for a lot of people who had been involved on the journey and not just supporters.
He highlighted the likes of Ron Barassi, a six-time Melbourne premiership player and former captain who was now living with dementia.
Mr Harbour said a flag would also be great for strong former Melbourne coaches John Northey, who also coached Ballarat Swans to the 2008 Ballarat Football League premiership, and Neale Daniher, who was now best-known in his campaigning for a motor-neurone disease cure.
"They're all great people for football," Mr Harbour said.
When it comes to taste, Mr Harbour assured the red and the blue hot dogs taste the same with the colour dye the only difference.
The sweet follow would be to see what kind of bite his Melbourne Demons can take out of the hot Dogs, an in-form Western Bulldogs, in Perth on Saturday night.
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